Council of Great Lakes Fishery Agencies

The Council of Great Lakes Fishery Agencies was created in A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries (Plan). The primary responsibility of this committee is to guide and support the process of implementing the Plan. In doing so, the Council will consider issues pertinent to, or referred by, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Likewise, the Council may develop issues or recommendations for referral to other organizations, as well as to the commission. Resolutions of the Council may also be implemented under the authority of represented agencies. The Council does not duplicate the tasks of other management committees, but rather it reinforces, adds value, and supports them.

To ensure mutual accountability of the Parties to the Plan.

To provide guidance and support to the Plan's institutional arrangements.

To encourage and support timely and effective information exchange between fishery law enforcement agencies and fishery managers.

To ensure that environmental objectives are articulated and reciprocal strategies with environmental agencies are developed.

To represent fishery interests to the most appropriate body or process on unresolved or emerging environmental issues which may be referred to the Council by Lake Committees or the Council of Lake Committees.

To inform and educate on a basin-wide perspective, including the development and implementation of a strategic communications framework that details the roles and responsibilities of the Parties and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Press Releases

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established in 1955 by the Canadian/U.S. Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission coordinates fisheries research, controls the invasive sea lamprey, and facilitates cooperative fishery management among the state, provincial, tribal, and federal agencies.